The Democratic Freedom Caucus congratulates Governor Bill Richardson in being nominated for the Secretary of Commerce. Although we favored Governor Bill Richardson to be Secretary of State his selection for Secretary of Commerce will afford him the opportunity to influence policy in a direction of a more level playing field in the economy, including cutting corporate subsidies, and allowing customer choice for public services. We expect he will act as a voice of restraint within the administration as calls for government control and ownership of private industry increase as we enter more difficult economic times.